Decorated metal ornament and process of making same.



SETH H. GEEK, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

DECORATED METAL ORNAMENT AND PROCESSOF MAKING SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETH H. GEEK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and g State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Decorated Metal Ornaments and Processes of Making Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process, and resultant product, for producing an ornamental and decorative article, employing metal as a base.

One of the objects of the invention is the production of an ornamental object, such as a wall decoration or the like, the chief characteristic of which shall be a highly lustrous color effect associated with any preferred outline or configuration.

Another object is the employment of a process whereby to produce an article such as above described which shall present, in any color desired, an insignia, motto, emblem or other preferred decorative display of 5 words or configurations, surrounded if desired, by a ground of color harmonious with that of the configuration, or of the same .color as the latter, or by a ground of the metal base alone.

Another object is to provide an article of decorative quality, produced by a process comprising few and simple steps, and employing a minimum of ingredients.

The invention will be set forth in the following specification and then pointed out more specifically in the appended claim.

In carrying out the process included in my invention, a fiat sheet of metal, capable of acquiring a high luster or polish and of a proper size to form the desired article is given a high polish, with the object of producing thereon the natural luster of the metal, the employment and maintenance of the latter being one of the essential features necessary to produce one of the main characteristics of my invention, metals such as tin, brass, copper, aluminium, nickel, silver and gold being well adapted for the purpose.

Upon the lustrous surface of the sheet of metal is formed any desired configuration in outline, preferably by either following the boundary of a gage or templet properly positioned thereon and depositing upon the metal plate a thin line inclosure of varnish,

paint, lead or the like or by producing a series of indentations in the metal along the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

Application filed June 17, 1914. Serial No. 845,710.

outlining figure, said indentations being formed in any preferred or well known manner, either method of forming the outline configuration being designed as a retaining element, as later described. To a suitable quantity of viscous material such as cabinet makers glue or some substance similar, previously heated until it acquires a medium fluidity and the well known appearance of much thickened milk and while it is still heated and possesses this appearance is added about an equal quantity of a coloring element of any color desired, lustrous inks having been demonstrated to be suitable and effective as the pigment ingredient of the composition. A suitable quantity of the above described mixture, preferably immediately subsequent to the union of the two ingredients is poured upon the metal plate, laid fiat or horizontally, Within the configuration formed by the varnish or paint inclosure or that formed by the indentations in the metal whichever form of retaining medium is used. Any small instrument, such as a pen, brush, or the like is then used to assist in spreading the mixture and properly dispose and extend it toward the confines of the outlined configuration, the thin line varnish, paint or the like or indentations effectively preventing the mixture from flowing beyond the limits of the figure. The mass of the mixture at this stage of the process is comparatively thick in relation to the finished product and in a state of medium fluidity, it possessing a rather globular form which will of course gradually disappear into a fiat coating as the mixture spreads and shrinks over the surface of the outline.

The article at the conclusion of the above described step is laid in a horizontal position in a temperate degree of heat for gradual drying, hardening and shrinking of the applied mixture, imately from six to ten hours. At the end of this time the coating will be found to be deposited in a thin, hard smooth-surfaced, lustrous layer, through which the native which step consumes approxluster of the metal is projected, which, combined with the luster of the ingredients of the mixture, produces according to the hue of the coloring ingredient used, a brilliantlycolored design of an extremely high luster.

If desired the remaining portion of the metal base may be coated with the same or a difierently hued mixture of like nature or the metal may be left uncoated With its own luster displayed.

A thin coat of transparent oil varnish, shellac or lacquer may be applied over the hardened coating to remove any tendency it might have to crack or chip, although I do not regard this step as essential, as the product and luster indefinitely. It .is-one of the essential features of'this invention that a metal plate in a highly lustrous condition be employed as a base as one of the important ornamental effects produced in the article is the projection of the metallic luster of the base through, and in combination With the luster of, the coloring and surfacing compound. The compound described, due to the hardening, and transparent qualities of the glue, by Which, when applied as set forth it forms a practically air-tight surface upon the metal base, preserves the luster of the latter, and per- Without it retains its form, color mit's it to pass mingled Withthat of the mixture, through the latter.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: k V

The processof producing "a lustrous ornamentation on a metal base, consisting in highly polishing that surface of the base designed to be ornamented, forming on said highly polished surface an outline of materlal having hardening properties, and de positing ithin theo-utline a viscous colored compound, the material deposited on the surface of the metal permitting the projection of the native luster through.

In testimony whereof I afliX in presence of two Witnesses.

SETH H. GEER.

my signature Witnesses! CHAs. M. SGANLAN, LILLIE SOHNEPPER.

of-the metal there copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. r 

